Farmers using chemicals to boost yields. Developers creating communities that exhaust water supplies. Lumber companies destroying habitats that hold endangered species. These are examples of an economic model based soley on producing the highest return on investment.

This economic model has produced consequences such as global climate change and environmental pollution and degradation.

A new economic model of sustainable enterprise and conservation development incorporates the value of natural resources like clean water and healthy soils. Several such development efforts (see below) are underway in the Andomojo region and near the Pacific Coast beaches, pioneered by partners of Greening Paraiso.

• Paraiso Community Farm – the first community organic farm and education center in Latin America. Designed and managed by El Centro Verde in conjunction with Tierra Pacifica.
  
  
• Neotropical Bird Project – The Neotropical Bird Project, funded for 2007-8 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Association, focuses on studying and improving migratory bird habitat in the Andomojo Watershed. The process includes surveying bird populations in monocrop plantations and mixed species forests; establishing a restoration transition strategy for plantations to create mixed diversity forests that theoretically support more native and migratory bird diversity; initiating local education efforts to support the watershed restoration vision and plan.
  
  
• Sea Turtle Conservation Project – Playa Junquillal, at the mouth of the Andomojo River, is one of the most important nesting beaches in Costa Rica for three endangered species of sea turtles. Research, funded by the National Wildlife Federation, is ongoing to understand why the egg hatch rates are so high at Junquillal. Eco-Tourism efforts are in place to protect the eggs from collectors who subscribe to local folklore that eating them enhances human virility.
  
  
• Homegarden Education Program – a sustainable development research project funded by Greening Paraiso and the University of Vermont Women’s Center, working with women in the Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica, one of the poorest provinces with 32.7 percent of households living in poverty. The study focuses on teaching women the practices and benefits of organic home gardening, both to improve their health and economic outlook at well as the health of the ecosystem. Coordinated in conjunction with Sol Verde Cooperativa, a woman-focused non-profit working toward education for sustainability. Study conducted by Eileen Horn, graduate student at the University of VT.
  
  
• Tierra Pacifica - Costa Rica’s premier "green" residential community. A 220-acre parcel of land in the Guanacaste foothills with 70 homes that are designed with respect for the health of soil, water, forests, plants, and animals. Partners are Matt Hayden, Doug Stern, and Will Raap.
  
  
• Finca Pochotes Pamperos –a 20-year old, 600-acre hardwood reforestation project on an old cattle ranch incorporating mixed species native trees like pochote and cocobolo as well as valuable non-native species like teak and neem. The partners, include Tom Peifer of El Centro Verde; Will Raap, founder of Gardener’s Supply, the Intervale Center and Greening Paraiso;and Kevin Yardley, founder of Diamond Teak.
  
  
• Finca La Norma – a 1,500 acre cattle farm in the center of the watershed that retains the consulting services of El Centro Verde in order to restore depleted pastures and improve rainwater capture and absorption.
  
  
• Finca Kosmos Conservation Development - a master planned 900 acre conservation development designed around a cattle farm and important riparian zone in the Andamojo watershed.
  
  
• Pura Jungla - a 250 acre reforestation project started over twenty years ago on abandoned pastures to restore the native jungle. Developed by Ray Beise.
  
  
• Pueblo Verde – the “greenest” development in Costa that employs the innovative restoration and conservation strategies developed at El Centro. Partners are Tom Peifer and Will Raap.